Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory

by Joseph N. Straus

Now published by Norton, Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest developments in the field, with additional coverage of transformational theory and voice leading. The Fourth Edition helps students identify key theoretical points and guides them through the process of analysis, while also offering new recently composed musical examples—all at an exceptional value.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

396 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1989

Reviews

[Tom Blurbgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazingly comprehensive text on post-tonal music analysis, the only criticism being that its determination to cover a few pretty esoteric compositional devices in depth make it a bit ungainly/overkill in parts. Still the go-to though!

[Rie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Music is... sooooooo mathematical. If you read this book, you'll know what I mean.

[Jason Cady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the clearest introduction to Set Theory I've read so far.

I read Jon Rahn's Basic Atonal Theory, which has some easy to read sections, and some nearly impossible for mere mortals sections, and I read the first half of Allen Forte's Structure of Atonal Music , which I found very difficult.

I'm so glad I found Straus! This book is helpful for not only atonal music, but also complex late-tonal music and I think it clarified my thinking about tonal music as well.

[Christopher Lawhorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read, some of the concepts are explained in a rather complicated way, and examples tend not to be sequential. Leads the reader to backtrack to figure out calculations. Overall very thorough in scope.

[Eule Hagar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but over-abstracts the theory to the point of not explaining the emotional impacts and consequences of musical choices, instead focusing on interesting relations between notes.

[Youngkwang Choi · Rating 4 out of 5]

good enough for music students!

[Pedro Proença · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my views on Composition. I loved it.